Building successful parent-school partnerships
When families and schools work together, student achievement improves. Not only that, teacher morale is also raised, and communication among stakeholders increases and multiplies.
Hence, there is a step-by-step process in sustaining this kind of partnership, from school heads and principals to the teachers to the school staff.
- Welcome all families into the school community. Families are active participants in school life, and should be connected to each other, the school staff and what their children are doing in class.
- Communicate effectively. Engage in regular, two-way, meaningful communication about learning and educating.
- Support student success. There is continuous collaboration to support student learning and opportunities to strengthen their skills for the real world.
- Speak up for every child. Parents and teachers can speak up for every child to make sure everyone gets treated fairly.
- Share equal footing. Families and schools are equal partners in making decisions that affect the students. They should create, influence, communicate, practice and implement said decisions together.
- Collaborate with the community. Expand learning opportunities, civic participation and community services.
- Continuous education for stakeholders. Repeat the necessary roles the family and the community will play on a child’s academic experience.
- Gradually increase the PTCA scope. From concerned parents and teachers, invite non-government organizations, socio-civic clubs and private sectors to become involved.
To further enhance this parent-school partnership, one can start by defining where they stand. Here are four types of parent-school partnerships, and from there one can get an idea for improvement to the next level.
Partnership school
- all families and communities have something to offer and they work closely so every student succeeds.
- there is a family center with materials families can borrow for their own improvement.
Open-door school
- parents can get involved by participating in our activities or responding to calls for assistance and help.
- teachers contact families once a year and there are parent coordinators who are available if parents have questions
Come-if-we-call school
- parents are welcome when we ask them. Most of them help their kids at home.
- staff selects who goes to school
Fortress school
- parents belong at home and are mainly tasked to support their children at home
- parents need security clearance to get inside the school, which works hard to keep community influences out.
The organized nationwide Parent-Teacher Association in the United States is comprised of more than 5 million members committed to the success of the students and promotion of parent involvement in schools. This has helped a lot of children since they see that their families and their communities are enthusiastic about education.
Sources:
“4 Versions of Family-School Partnerships.” Retrieved December 23, 2009 from
http://www.thenewpress.com/resource_files/BeyondtheBakeS_070620160328_8884.pdf
“A Guide to PTAs: Building Successful Partnerships Process.” Retrieved December 23, 2009 from
http://www.pta.org/Documents/BSP_Booklet.pdf
“Partnership with Parents.” Retrieved December 23, 2009 from
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/parentalinvolvement/pwp/
(Published 11 January 2010, Smart Communications Inc.)
